All Time Faves: Classic Adult Books for Teens

Why are people born? Why do they die? Why do they want to spend so much of the intervening time wearing digital watches? No one but Douglas Adams could have pared life's meaning down to these three questions, and they remain as inspired and head-scratchingly clever today as they did twenty-five years ago when they appeared in the first edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Showcasing his quick wit, comic genius, and wide-ranging intelligence, "Hitchhiker's has become nothing less than a cult classic and cultural phenomenon. More

Austen's comedy of manners--one of the most popular novels of all time--features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of 18-century drawing-room intrigues. Reissue. …More

Adults and children the world over have fallen in love with Beagle's timeless classic, The Last Unicorn. Now, in this historic publication, Beagle's richly inventive novel springs to life in beautifully rendered illustrations that perfectly evoke the mystery and magic of one of man's favorite myths. …More

Nowadays firemen start fires. Fireman Guy Montag loves to rush to a fire and watch books burn up. Then he met a seventeen-year old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid, and a professor who told him of a future where people could think. And Guy Montag knew what he had to do.... …More

The classic tale of a group of English school boys who are left stranded on an unpopulated island, and who must confront not only the defects of their society but the defects of their own natures. …More

As a boy, William Goldman claims, he loved to hear his father read the "S. Morgenstern classic, The Princess Bride. But as a grown-up he discovered that the boring parts were left out of good old Dad's recitation, and only the "good parts" reached his ears. Now Goldman does Dad one better. He's reconstructed the "Good Parts Version" to delight wise kids and wide-eyed grownups everywhere. What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex. …More

This controversial classic of military adventure by "New York Times" bestselling author Heinlein is back--the story of a young recruit of the future who goes through the toughest boot camp in the universe. …More

Frank Herbert's Hugo and Nebula Award winner celebrates 40 years with this new anniversary edition. The sweeping tale of a desert planet called Arrakis, "Dune" has been a favorite among sci-fi fans for decades. …More

Charlie Gordon is about to embark upon an unprecedented journey. Born with an unusually low IQ, he has been chosen as the perfect subject for an experimental surgery that researchers hope will increase his intelligence-a procedure that has already been highly successful when tested on a lab mouse named Algernon. As the treatment takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment appears to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance, until Algernon suddenly deteriorates. Will the same happen to Charlie? …More

John Knowles' beloved classic has been a bestseller for more than 30 years and is one of the most moving and accurate novels about the trials and confusions of adolescence ever written. Set at an elite boarding school for boys during World War II, A Separate Peace is the story of friendship and treachery, and how a tragic accident involving two young men forever tarnishes their innocence. …More

Bloom's Notes offers concise, easy-to-understand biographical, critical, and bibliographical information presented in a user-friendly format for book reports and term papers. Most importantly, it condenses extensive critical research into one compact student handbook. …More

CCBC Choices - 1994One of the most popular and exciting adventure stories is now being reissued with vibrant, realistic paintings by a highly acclaimed artist and an introduction by award-winning author, Gary Paulsen. First published in 1903, this striking reissue is as relevant today as it was when it was first published. Black-and-white illustrations. …More

J.D. Salinger's classic of adolescent angst is now available for the first time in trade paperback. Holden Caulfield, knowing he is to be expelled from school, decides to leave early. He spends three days in New York City and tells the story of what he did and suffered there. …More

At this challenge, Mary Shelley began work on the 'ghost story' that was to evolve into the most celebrated horror novel in literary history. Frankenstein was published the next year and become the rage of London. In the generations since, the story of Victor Frankenstein and the monster he created has been read by millions all over the world. It has inspired hundreds of imitations, but it has never been equaled for its masterful manipulation of the elements of horror and suspense. …More

The story of 17-year-old Cassandra and her family, who live in not-so-genteel poverty in an English castle, "I Capture the Castle" is as brightly witty and adventuresome today as it was when it was first published 50 years ago. Illustrations. …More

The first volume of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. In ancient times the Dark Lord forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so he could rule all others. The ring falls into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, and his cousin Frodo must make a perilous journey to the Cracks of Doom to destroy it. …More